Compressor valve



Feb. 3, 1931. J. o. LEWIS 1,791,363

COMPRESSOR VALVE Filed June 8, 1929 INVENTORY Jaw/776s 0 A e W/S.

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 3, 1931 SA S memes I JAMES O. LEW'IS, OF TULSA,GKLAI-EOMA COMPRESSGB, VALVE Application filed June 8,

My invention relates to compressor valves, and more particularly to apressure actuated valve for controlling inflow or outlet of airor gas toor from a compressor cylinder.

In the conventional type compressor, the

valves are actuated by differential pressures exerted upon thedilterential areas on opposite sides of the valve head, the differenceof I the areas tending to retard the opening and dosing of the valve.

it is an object of my invention to prevent retardation of operation ofsuch valves by providing complementary actuating means for offsettingthe difierential areas on oppo- 16 site sides of the valve head andettecting opening and closing of the valves irrespective of the varyingpressures exerted thereon. In accomplishing this and other objects ofthe invention, 1 have provided improved details of structure, thepreferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a compressor cylinder partly broken awayand in central vertical ection, illustrating application of my inventionto the intake valve.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22, Fig. 1. Referring in detail to thedrawings: 1 designates a compressor cylinder of conventional typeincluding a water jacket 2 surrounding the compression or piston chamher 3 fitted with the usual piston 4E and rod 5, but having an annularrecess 6 at the end or the chamber communicating with the intakemanifold 7 through a port- 8, and with the discharge manifold 9 throughan opening 10 ii ted with a discharge valve 11.

Mounted in the cylinder above the recess 6 is a diaphragm motor 12,including upper and lower housing members 13 and 14 connected by usualflange bolts 15, a flexible diaphragm 16 being located within thehousing with its periphery anchored between the flanges of the housingmembers and forming upper and lower chambers 17 and 18.

The lower housing member includes a bottom plate 19 provided with abushing 20 concentric with the port 8, and side ports 21 through whichthe lower diaphragm -6 chamber 18 communicates with atmosphere.

1929. Serial No. 369,512.

Slidable in the bushing 20 is a hollow valve stem 22 having a valve head23 cooperating with a seat 24 of the port 8 for controlling flow fromthe manifold 7 to the compression chamber through the port 8 and annularrecess 6, and connected at its upper end with the diaphragm 16 byflanges or the like 25.

In practicing the invention the operation is as follows:

When the compressor is in operation the varying pressure produced in thecompression chamber 3 by the alternate compression and intake strokes ofthe piston 4 is transmitted to the motor chamber 17 above the diaphragm16 through the hollow valve stem 22, where it coacts with the opposedconstant atmospheric pressure in the lower chamber 18 to induce upwardand downward flexing of the diaphragm and opening and closing of theintake valve.

As the piston 4 moves forward for a compression stroke pressure iscreated in the com pression chamber 3 and diaphragm chamber 17 greaterthan atmospheric pressure, causing downward flexing of the diaphragm forholding the intake valve closed, the compressed air or gas beingexpelled from the compression chamber through the discharge valve 11.

As the piston starts its return or intake stroke, the pressure in thecompression chamber and upper diaphragm housing chamber 17 is reducedbelow atmospheric pressure. whereupon the discharge valve 11 closes andthe atmospheric pressure in the diaphragm housing chamber 18 causesupward flexing ot' the diaphragm for liftin g the intake valve from itsseat and permitting a charge of air or gas to be drawn into thecylinder.

With such apparatus differential pressures in the diaphragm andcompressor chambers, in conjunction with diiierential areas of thediaphragm and opposite sides of the valve, are employed for servingrather than retarding the valve movement.

lWhile I have illustrated and described application of the inventiononly to the intake valve of the compressor, it is apparent that theoutlet valve may be similarly equipped, 390

with whatever variation may be required by difierent conditions of itsuse.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a compressor cylinder having a. port, a valve forsaid port, a motor including a diaphragm and a housing forming chambersat opposite sides of the diaphragm, one of said chambers being open toatmosphere, and means connecting the valve with said diaphragm andproviding communication between the cylinder chamber and the otherdiaphragm chamber.

2. In combination with a compressor cylinder including a piston chamberhaving a port, a valve for said port, a motor including a diaphragmhousing and a diaphragm in said housing of greater surface area thanthat of the intake valve forming a chamber in said housing and connectedwith said valve, whereby the valve is urged to its seat in response toequal pressures in the diaphragm and piston chambers, and meansproviding communication. between the chambers.

3. In combination with a compressor cylinder including a piston chamberhaving an outlet port, a supply channel and an inlet port from thesupply channel to the piston chamber, a valve for the outlet port, avalve for the intake port having faces of different surface area exposedto the piston chamber and supply channel respectively, a diaphragmhousing including perforate and imperforate members, a flexiblediaphragm in said housing cooperative with the housing members to formopen and closed chambers, and a hollow stem on said intake valveconnected with said diaphragm and providing communication between theclosed diaphragm chamber and said piston chamber.

4; In combination with a compressor cylinder having a port, a valve forsaid port, a motor including a diaphragm of greater surface area thanthe valve and a housing form ing chambers at opposite sides of thediaphragm, one 01 said chambers being open to atmosphere, and meansincluding a hollow valve stem connecting the valve with said diaphragm.and providing communication between the cylinder chamber and the otherdiaphragm chamber.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JAMES O. LEWIS.

